Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an important heat-trapping (greenhouse) gas, which is released through human activities such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, as well as natural processes such as respiration and volcanic eruptions. The first chart shows atmospheric CO2 levels in recent years, with average seasonal cycle removed. The second chart shows CO2 levels during the last three glacial cycles, as reconstructed from ice cores.
The time series below shows global distribution and variation of the concentration of mid-tropospheric carbon dioxide in parts per million (ppm). The overall color of the map shifts toward the red with advancing time due to the annual increase of CO2.
Missions that observe CO2
DIRECT MEASUREMENTS: 2005-PRESENT
Data source: Monthly measurements (average seasonal cycle removed). Credit: NOAA
PROXY (INDIRECT) MEASUREMENTS
Data source: Reconstruction from ice cores.
Credit: NOAA
Credit: NOAA
Time Series: 2002-2014
Data source: Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS).
Credit: NASA
Credit: NASA
September
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